The Duplicity Of The Crab Poem by Jayshree Misra Tripathi

Growing older over sixty,
I yearn to relive
Snapshot Moments
Of Youth Unbound…..
Elaichi chai for twenty five paisa
At roadside dhabas; meetha paan,
….a quick soota or two.
Strolling up the Ridge*, side by side, keeping pace
With friends or perhaps it is the special YOU….
No holding hands then - far too shy!
Smiling at faces known and unknown
Before rushing back - hostel bells that tolled for roll-call,
And behenji or the warden's secret rounds.
We smiled in unison - alerted the puffers -
The camaraderie remains, even now.

Forty years down the roads all taken, we engage
In light banter, joyful at the reunions on Social Media.
Add ‘Smileys' and ‘Love' picture - memories
That may hide sorrows unbound,
Or exhale Life's Beautiful Magic-
Till …All Hail!
The Emperor of All Maladies erupts!

After silent fruitful feasting off DNA,
Traversing new territories, claimed insidiously,
In the name of…. What? We know not.
Insignificant human beings in this great perplexing universe.
And so, the music fades…..
Dusk no longer is for contemplation of what may be.
And the sword of Damocles hangs over simple questions:
Why now, why him or her, not me?